4 minute read
I Have a Dream!
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
On August 28, 1963, the civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. delivered a famous speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Over and over again he repeated the phrase, “I have a dream!” King painted a picture of an integrated and unified America… “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin, but by the content of their character. I have a dream today!”
I too have a dream! In fact, it is my responsibility as leader of the Alberta Conference to cast a shared vision for our people. My job description states, “The President shall work with the EXCOM (Executive Committee) in casting a vision for the future.” On Saturday, October 14, our EXCOM members gathered in Kananaskis for a visioning retreat. We prayed earnestly that God would reveal to us His vision for the Alberta Conference. What God showed us that Sabbath day causes my heart to beat faster. This is the dream…
It is the dream of a thriving Jesus community, where all people are seen and heard and loved. It is the dream of a first-century church in the twenty-first century (see Acts 2:42-27). It is the dream of vibrant congregations where our youth are truly valued and fully engaged. It is the dream of Christ-centered fellowships characterized by heartfelt worship, authentic relationships, active community engagement, and non-judgmental acceptance. It is the dream of moving forward on our knees, fully devoted to prayer. It is the dream of spiritually maturing Christ-followers joyfully sharing the good news of Jesus and His soon return with friends, family, schoolmates, and work associates. It is the dream of genuine revival sweeping across our conference as God’s Holy Spirit is poured out on young and old alike. It is the dream of scriptural truths being proclaimed with relevance and life-changing power. It is the dream of caring congregations where hurting people find healing and freedom. It is the dream of multiplying mission-focused congregations through church planting. It is the dream of thousands being converted in a day.
It is the dream of a growing network of grace-oriented Adventist Schools, where students come to know and love Jesus in addition to learning math and socials and fine arts. It is the dream of Adventist education that is accessible to all families who desire it. It is the dream of healthy, happy families. It is the dream of dedicated church members mentoring our youth to lead confidently and competently. It is the dream of empowering mission-minded young adults to change the world.
It is the dream of forward thinking believers who think BIG, and pray BIG prayers, and trust God for great things. It is the dream of dynamic leaders who are not afraid to try fresh, innovative approaches to ministry. It is the dream of every member actively using their skills and talents to advance the cause of Christ. It is the dream of small groups of believers gathering in homes to study the Bible with their unchurched friends and neighbours. It is the dream of helping others with their mental health challenges, addictions, and relationship issues. It is the dream of every local church becoming a centre of influence in their community. It is the dream of creatively using social media to lift Jesus up and bring hope to the hopeless. It is the dream of empowering our youth and young adults to become digital disciples and reach secular people using today’s technologies. It is the dream of our churches growing younger.
It is the dream of a generation of believers who are totally committed to Jesus, radically committed to each other, and utterly committed to reaching those who are far from God.
It is the dream that one day our churches will be so welcoming, and so loving, and so safe, that our members will enthusiastically invite their pre-Adventist friends to worship. It is the dream of a church culture which is devoid of judgment. It is the dream of missional congregations who choose to “do church” in such a way that they attract people who have not yet come to faith. It is the dream of leaders who, like the men of Issachar, “understand the times, and know what Israel should do.” (1 Chronicles 12:32)
